Motorcyclist charged with killing schoolboy, 8, as he walked to evening prayers

A motorcyclist has been charged with killing a young boy and badly injuring his father and brother in a crash as the family crossed the road.

Schoolboy Mustafa Ahmed, eight, died at the scene in Plumstead, southeast London, as he walked with his family to evening prayers on February 19.

His father, Mohammed, was left in an induced coma while Mustafa’s brother, Ahmed, 10, was seriously hurt in the incident.

Nicholas Hopkins, 20, has now been charged with a string of offences relating to the crash.

Hopins, who lives in Burrage Grove in Plumstead, is accused of causing Mustafa’s death by dangerous driving while riding a Yamaha Thundercat motorbike.

He faces two charges of causing serious injury bty dangerous driving, and he is also accused of driving without a licence or insurance.

In addition, Hopkins is charged with failing to provide a blood sample to police the day after the crash, racial or religious aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress, and an allegation of possession of cannabis.

Hopkins appeared at Bexley magistrates court on March 16, and was remanded into custody until a plea hearing on April 12 at the Old Bailey.

In the wake of the crash, wellwishers held a vigil for Mustafa at the spot where he died in Plumstead Road, outside the Greenwich Islamic Centre.

“Mustafa was a happy, caring, compassionate young boy”, said local Labour Councillor Asli Mohammed.

“He loved making everybody in the room laugh.

“His favourite thing was playing on the trampoline in his garden and loved football too. He was an outdoor child, he loved his outdoor play time.

“His mother Hayfa, she is completely broken, but the overwhelming support and kind words she has received from the public has been some comfort to her.

“I am not just a councillor but a friend of hers and her beautiful family.”

Hopkins did not enter any pleas at his first court appearance before magistrates.